Bay Area soccer roundup: Christmas EPL matches

Following training camp in Tucson, Arizona, the San Jose Earthquakes will travel to Las Vegas to play the LA Galaxy on February 13, 2016. The rivalry between the Quakes and the Galaxy is one of the most in intense in Major League Soccer. This will be only the second time the two teams have met outside of California, joining the 2001 MLS Cup Final in Columbus, Ohio.

The Quakes also announced they’ll open the 2016 regular season against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at Avaya Stadium. The two teams met twice last season, including a draw in Colorado, and then a Quakes victory in San Jose. Since 2012, San Jose has dominated the Rapids of late and hold an undefeated 6-0-5 record over them.

———————————————————————————————————–A SPECIAL TIME OF YEAR FOR EPL FANS

Fans of the English Premier League love the week after Christmas. The matches are coming fast and furious with most clubs playing every couple days. In recent years, U.S. television coverage has increased to the point where almost all of the matches are being shown nationally. San Francisco is home to numerous footy pubs and many EPL supporters groups, and they’re all rubbing their hands at the prospect.